The reality star Jessi Draper has been candid about stepping back into the dating scene while finalizing her divorce from Jordan Ngatikaura. In an April 25 Instagram get ready with me video she told followers that reconnecting with others is one element of her broader recovery, and that the choice to date is intentional rather than impulsive. She also revealed a striking personal fact: she has not known being single since she was 19 or 20, which frames why this phase feels both unfamiliar and necessary.
Jordan Ngatikaura filed for divorce on March 19, and since then Draper has spoken about the emotional work she is doing while navigating custody and public attention. She shares children Jagger and Jovi with Jordan, and he is also the father of Peyton from a prior relationship; she has emphasized that her parenting responsibilities remain a priority. At the same time, Draper has acknowledged romance rumors — including kisses with Vanderpump Villa co-star Marciano Brunette — without confirming or denying particulars, stressing that healing can include socializing and rediscovering what it feels like to be valued.
Why dating is part of recovery
For Draper, dating is not a detour from healing but one of several tools she is using to rebuild her sense of self after years in a partnership she describes as emotionally fraught. She explained that being in a relationship where she didn’t feel respected taught her what to avoid, and that simple interactions with kind people have helped restore her confidence. Draper also mentioned traditional supports — therapy and journaling — while arguing that meeting new people can complement introspection. She admitted to feeling jaded and fearful about relationships now, which makes brief, varied connections a less risky way to engage emotionally while staying focused on personal growth.
How she balances dating and motherhood
One theme Draper returned to is balance: she has her children roughly half the time and insists that parenting remains central to her choices. When critics suggest she should “go heal” only by focusing on her kids, she pushes back and says two truths can coexist — caring for children and attending to one’s own happiness. Draper describes a process of reprioritizing where, on days without the children she allows herself space to be social, to feel giddy again, and to test new boundaries, all while keeping custody arrangements and the kids’ wellbeing in mind. This practical approach reflects an effort to parent responsibly without erasing her own needs.
Managing public opinion and personal boundaries
Having built a public profile from reality television, Draper is no stranger to commentary about her choices, and she acknowledged in her Instagram video that opinions will always exist. She said being on camera taught her that people will have takes, but she also stressed the importance of setting limits on what she will discuss publicly. Draper has made clear she does not want to spend energy talking negatively about the marriage; she “already said her piece” and prefers to focus on the practical work of unwinding a relationship and protecting her family while the legal process continues. In that sense, the public gaze is a factor she actively manages.
Rumors, privacy and headlines
Recent speculation linking Draper to Marciano Brunette has amplified interest in her love life, yet she has chosen not to turn rumors into a running narrative. She described feeling blindsided when divorce paperwork hit headlines and suggested that media timing sometimes complicates private conversations meant for her children and close circle. Draper’s stance is to allow dating to proceed without making each encounter fodder for public consumption, using privacy and clear boundaries as tools to protect both her healing and her family from unnecessary exposure. That approach helps her control what the public sees and what stays private.
Looking ahead: slow and intentional
Moving forward Draper says she plans to remain single for a while while casually meeting different people, emphasizing exploration over commitment. Her priorities include continued therapy, time with her kids, and rebuilding a sense of joy that was missing in the marriage. She acknowledged feeling afraid about relationships after what she experienced, but also excited to discover that not every relationship will mirror the past. By combining self-care, supportive social interactions and measured public engagement, Draper is crafting a path that aims to honor both her role as a mother and her need to reclaim happiness after a significant life change.